Chicago Tribune exec leaving company

Brad Moore, who oversees RedEye, TribLocal and other niche publications for the Chicago Tribune Media Group, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities, executives said Friday.

Moore, vice president of targeted media and business development, is credited with helping develop a diverse portfolio of publications into an emerging profit center, according to executives. The group also includes Chicago Magazine, Metromix, Hoy and Mash.

Moore joined Tribune Co. in 1997 and was part of the development team that launched the youth-oriented tabloid RedEye in 2002. After becoming general manager in 2005, he shifted it to a free distribution/advertising-based model, which put RedEye solidly into the black. He was promoted to his current position in 2008.

The decision to partner with Journatic to provide hyperlocal content for TribLocal also took place during Moore's tenure. Tribune Co. suspended Journatic over ethical lapses and after a lengthy investigation resumed limited use of the Chicago-based provider last month with a number of added safeguards.

Moore, 39, said the decision to leave was his own and said he has secured a new position elsewhere that he will announce soon.

"I'm proud of what our teams have accomplished in my years at Tribune and feel fortunate to have shared those experiences with an amazing group of people," Moore said in a statement. "It was a difficult decision to move on, but I'm excited for what lies ahead."

Moore's position will not be filled and his responsibilities will be integrated under Joseph Schiltz, who has been Chicago Tribune's vice president of marketing since last summer.

"We're grateful for Brad's many accomplishments, including building RedEye into the profitable business it is today," said Vince Casanova, Chicago Tribune Media Group president.